“Hss—where... am I?”

Still wracked with pain across his body, Muen slowly regained consciousness from unconsciousness, only to find himself lying in an unfamiliar room.

Before he could even examine his surroundings, a grinning old face—smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum—suddenly popped into his view.

“Holy—who the hell—”

Muen nearly suffered a heart attack from the shock, but quickly came to his senses.

“You’re... Professor Garan?”

“Ah, Muen, you’re finally awake.”

Professor Garan stared at Muen, smiling brightly... and unnervingly.

“Congratulations. The surgery was a great success. You’re now a beautiful young lady.”

“...What?”

Muen froze.

Then immediately panicked.

Don’t tell me that Crowned-tier freak was that powerful—just a flick of her finger and my entire gender got switched?!

No, no no no! That kind of thing—absolutely not!

Muen hastily flung off the blanket covering him and looked down.

And let out a breath of relief.

Whew... still there.

...Wait, still there?

Muen abruptly looked back up, glaring furiously at Professor Garan.

“Professor Garan, please don’t joke about that kind of thing!”

“Huh?”

Professor Garan rubbed his chin in confusion.

“Isn’t that the sort of thing you youngsters joke about all the time?”

“How could it be?! That’s horrifying, okay?!”

“Seems I’ve fallen behind the times.” Professor Garan sighed, then gave a pointed look.

“But... horrifying? That joke might not be in the best taste, but it’s hardly that bad, right?

For you to react so strongly, Muen... could it be that you’ve actually... gone through something like that?”

“Nonsense.”

Muen subtly averted his gaze.

“Absolutely not. That kind of ridiculous thing... it's not even possible, just imagining it is absurd.”

“Right, maybe I was just overthinking.”

Professor Garan straightened his expression.

“Let’s not talk about that. How are you feeling? Is your body alright?”

“I... actually feel a lot better.”

Muen examined himself. Aside from some lingering soreness, most of his internal and external injuries seemed almost fully healed.

Still, to recover this fast...

“Wait, don’t tell me—”

“That’s right. I healed your injuries.”

“And the person who rescued me—”

“You’ve forgotten? That was me, too.”

Professor Garan snapped his fingers.

“It was a real close call, honestly. If I hadn’t risked my life to rush in, you probably would’ve gone splat and turned into mush.”

“...I see.”

Muen exhaled lightly. The feeling of barely escaping death left him strangely conflicted. He bowed his head to thank him.

“Thank you, Professor Garan.”

“Ah, no need for thanks. A teacher saving his student—that’s only natural, isn’t it?”

Professor Garan gave him a hearty pat on the back, helping Muen sit upright.

“To me, it was just a trifling matter.”

“Maybe it was trivial to you, Professor, but you did save me. I’ll definitely repay this debt.”

“Is that so?”

Professor Garan suddenly smiled with a strange gleam in his eye, as if he’d been waiting for those exact words.

“Well then, Muen, I happen to have just the perfect opportunity for you to repay me.”

...Huh?

What a coincidence?

A chill ran through Muen’s spine. His danger instinct—honed through repeated betrayals—was buzzing like mad.

This was...

The scent of a setup!

“Actually, I meant I’d repay you in money.”

Muen rested his chin on his interlocked fingers, looking solemn.

“One million? Two million? Just name your price, Professor Garan—the Ducal Estate will cover it. Of course, if money doesn’t appeal, gold and jewels are also available.”

“As expected of a Duke’s son, throwing money like water. But sorry—I’m not short on cash right now.”

“Then come find me when you are. I’ve got something urgent—so I’ll be on my way.”

“Hold on.”

Garan grabbed Muen’s shoulder, leaning in with a tragic expression.

“Muen, I risked my life to save you, and you’re just going to walk away?”

“But...”

Muen’s mouth twitched.

“Didn’t you just say it was a trifling matter for you?”

“That was just me being modest. Muen, must you take my words at face value?”

Professor Garan let go and smiled meaningfully.

“Of course, if you insist on walking away, I won’t stop you. It’s just... tomorrow’s Academy headline might read:

‘Famed Muen Campbell once again proves heartless, turning coldly away at sunset from the teacher who risked life and limb to save him—leaving the man to weep bitterly each day, wasting away in grief, until finally...’”

“Stop stop stop!”

Muen cut him off, horrified.

“Where the hell did that ultimate tragic BL teacher-student love story come from?! And what’s this about a sunset?! You can’t even see the moon in this godforsaken place!”

“Which is exactly why...”

Garan grinned. The smile on his face looked kind, but to Muen it was nightmare fuel, sending chills down his spine.

“Muen, you don’t want your reputation taking another hit, do you?”

“......”

Silence fell for a brief moment.

Professor Garan calmly admired the look of struggle on Muen’s face.

“So underhanded, Professor Garan.”

Muen ground his teeth.

“Fine. What do you want?”

“It’s nothing major. No need to be so tense—makes me feel like some weird horned beast known as a cuckold or something.”

Garan slung an arm around Muen’s shoulders like they were old friends, then said after some thought:

“Actually, I have a niece.”

“...A niece?”

“Mm. Yes. A niece. She’s... a little hard to wake up in the morning.”

“...Sleeps in?”

Muen grew even more confused.

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“Everything! Because she loves to sleep in, what better than a handsome, golden-haired big brother to go wake her up?”

“...Wait.”

Muen’s face froze.

“So all this build-up... just to have me wake your niece up?!”

“Yes, exactly.”

Professor Garan nodded. “That’s the gist. My niece just has a bit of morning temper. Nothing you need to worry about.”

“The more you say that, the more I worry!”

You schemed this hard to drag me here—there’s no way it’s just some random niece!

Don’t tell me—

Muen rubbed his chin, growing serious.

“Your niece is actually a short-tempered, male-ripping, rage-fueled silverback mountain gorilla, isn’t she?”

“......”

Professor Garan’s face visibly twitched.

“Muen, your imagination is truly impressive. But no—she’s not a gorilla.”

“You just said ‘that one’, didn’t you? Who refers to their niece as that one?!”

“Ahem. Anyway, time is short. Let’s talk on the way.”

“Wait, I’m not even dressed yet—let me find some clothes.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared them.”

Professor Garan gave a knowing smile and snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, a fitted formal outfit materialized on Muen’s body like a magic trick.

Looking at Professor Garan’s smug, everything-under-control smile, Muen felt his frustration surge.

When will we tools ever be free?

But he had no choice. Powerless to resist, he let himself be dragged toward the unknown.

...

A few minutes later, somewhere beneath the Academy.

Standing before a massive, imposing metal gate so immense it made him feel utterly insignificant, Muen was completely stunned.

“Professor Garan... your niece... lives in a vault?”

“Vault?”

Professor Garan sneered.

“This door was forged from dozens of rare metals, over a hundred enchanted arrays, and countless craftsmen’s sweat and tears. It can even withstand an Evil God’s assault for a fair amount of time. Even Belrand’s most secure vault can’t hold a candle to this.”

“...It can withstand an Evil God...”

Muen’s eyelid twitched hard.

From what he remembered, only the Holy Life Sanctuary of the Church of Life had defenses on this level.

And to need such protection for this door...

“Don’t tell me—it’s not really your niece in there. It’s the Academy’s secret weapon or something, isn’t it?”

Muen guessed.

Professor Garan froze for a second—then immediately put on an “innocent and pure” smile.

“Secret weapon? Kid, you’ve been reading too many fantasy novels. This is a peaceful academy meant for students to study. How could there be something so violent as a secret weapon?”

“There totally is! Your eyes just darted!”

“Youngsters like you are too suspicious—you’ll end up realizing your hat’s the wrong color, if you get what I mean.”

Professor Garan stepped forward and inserted a sparkling gemstone into a groove at the bottom of the massive door.

Within that compass-like device, seventeen other gems were already slotted in.

“For people who claimed they didn’t want to come, they sure moved fast.” Professor Garan raised an eyebrow as he eyed the embedded stones.

Then, twisting his wrist, the gem began to emit a gentle glow.

A deep rumble followed.

Giant mechanisms unfurled in layers. With a tremor like tumbling boulders, the majestic gate slowly opened, revealing a vast darkness within.

Standing at the threshold, arms crossed, Professor Garan looked at Muen.

“Well, are you going or not, kid? Give it to me straight. As much as I want you to go, I’m still a teacher—I won’t force a student to do something against their will.”

“...I’ll go.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Muen exhaled deeply, as if forcing all the air from his lungs.

“Ho.”

Professor Garan chuckled. “I thought you’d still refuse.”

“I wanted to refuse... but I suddenly remembered something,” Muen replied.

Back then—

Because the written description didn’t line up easily with the actual scene, and because of how sudden the appearance was and how chaotic the situation had been, Muen hadn’t had the time to think deeply.

But once he calmed down, a lot of overlooked details began resurfacing in his mind.

That Crowned-tier attacker...

Muen looked up at Professor Garan and asked seriously:

“Professor Garan, the one who attacked me earlier—that Crowned-tier woman... she was the Purifying Saintess from the Church of Life, wasn’t she?”

“Oh? You actually recognized her?”

Professor Garan raised a surprised eyebrow. “She’s been missing for twenty years. I thought none of the younger generation would know her. What, are you like that pervy Pink Bear dean, hoarding fake saintess pin-up collections?”

“No, of course I don’t know her...”

But I know the plot of the original novel.

In the original, the Purifying Saintess, manipulated by the Love God, had also invaded the Academy.

But by then, the Love God had already gathered sufficient power, so there hadn’t been those sacrificial gay male cultists involved.

It had just been the Saintess alone—but even so, having a Crowned-tier powerhouse attack the Academy without warning had been terrifying, because no one could predict her actions.

And the Love God’s motive in attacking the Academy was—

To hunt down Ariel.

That’s right. In the original story, as the protagonist, Ariel had naturally drawn the ire of the Love God—who was the most active Evil God in the early arc—by wiping out most of Their cultists in Belrand.

In a rage, the Love God directly controlled the Purifying Saintess to invade the Academy and pursue Ariel.

But Ariel, being the protagonist, obviously didn’t go down that easily. Thanks to her various cheat skills, her own power, and her cockroach-level survivability, she held out until Professor Prang arrived with the Great Rite’s blessing.

After that incident, Ariel even benefited from the ordeal, successfully breaking into a higher cultivation realm.

A standard power-up event for the protagonist—but the only problem was...

It’s happening way too early.

This event was supposed to occur at the end of the school year. Based on the original timeline, Ariel hadn’t even had much contact with the Love God yet, let alone done anything to draw Their wrath.

If there was supposed to be an attack soon, it should’ve been the Blood Fiend incident scheduled for next month—definitely not an early appearance by the Love God.

So what caused all this?

“Am I really the only possible butterfly?”

Muen let out a bitter laugh.

Any way he looked at it, it was probably because he had provoked the Love God that Their invasion had been triggered ahead of schedule.

But still—

There was something else Muen couldn’t figure out.

At the time, the Love God hadn’t seemed solely focused on killing him.

The attack on him felt incidental—They clearly had another goal.

Otherwise, at that range, if a Crowned-tier went all out, no one could’ve saved him. Not unless a literal god descended.

“So... just because this little butterfly flapped his wings a bit, we’re getting a whole damn hurricane?”

The Pink Bear suddenly popping up as acting dean.

The Love God invading a whole year early.

It all seemed to trace back to the fact that the yellow-haired villain—who was supposed to exit stage left a month ago—was still actively kicking around, throwing the plot into disarray.

And while Muen really wanted to shout “I just want to live a happy life—is that so wrong?!”

“...In the end, it’s still my fault, isn’t it?”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Muen turned to Professor Garan and asked seriously:

“If I go in and awaken the Academy’s secret weapon, will it resolve this incident?”

“Naturally...”

At this point, Garan didn’t bother playing dumb anymore.

“But I’d advise you not to call her a ‘secret weapon.’ She’ll get mad.”

And ‘niece’ was somehow fine?!

Muen couldn’t help retorting inwardly.

But now that he had an answer, there was no reason to hesitate.

Muen stepped toward the dark opening behind the great gate.

“Wait.”

Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he suddenly stopped and turned around, frowning.

“Come to think of it—shouldn’t Professor Prang be able to handle this?”

After all, in the original novel, it had been Professor Prang who resolved the Love God’s attack using the protection of the Great Rite.

Muen also remembered that the Saintess had once been Prang’s student—their reunion had been tragic.

But no matter how you sliced it, a single Evil God invading shouldn’t have warranted the use of a secret weapon that even he didn’t know about. Meaning—it wasn’t supposed to show up this early in the story.

“Huh? You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Oh, right—you were unconscious at the time. You didn’t see.”

“See what?”

“If it were just the Purifying Saintess controlled by the Love God, that old bastard Prang would’ve been more than enough. But the problem is...”

Professor Garan sighed heavily.

“There’s another Evil God involved. The one who holds dominion over night: the Moon.”

“I see. So the Moon showed up too.”

Muen nodded and resumed walking forward.

But after just one step, he froze.

“...Wait, the Moon?”

Among Evil Gods, the only one referred to as “the Moon” was the Silent Moon.

As an Evil God, making an appearance now wouldn’t be strange per se.

The problem was—

In every plotline Muen knew—

The Silent Moon had never attacked the Academy!

That god didn’t appear until mid-arc—and by that time, the Academy storyline had already ended!

Why?

Again because of me?

But Muen had no memory of ever crossing paths with the Silent Moon.

Sure, a butterfly flapping its wings might cause a storm—but no matter how hard it flapped, even if it flapped its wings off, it wouldn’t cause an unrelated volcano to erupt, right?

“Professor Garan, about this—please, I need you to explain it more clearly—”

Muen spun around, desperate to question him.

But just as he turned, his expression stiffened—

Because all he could see was the sole of a shoe rapidly enlarging in his vision.

“If you’re going, then get going already!”

Professor Garan kicked Muen square in the butt, roaring impatiently:

“If you keep dawdling like this, that old bastard Prang’s gonna get beaten to death!”

...

...

“Ow!!”

Turns out, it wasn’t level ground behind that enormous gate—it was a platform of uneven height.

So after being booted in, Muen, unsurprisingly, went tumbling straight down... face-first.

Pain bloomed from both ends at once, leaving Muen unsure whether to clutch his butt or his face first.

Thankfully, the ground was softer than expected, so he didn’t worry about his handsome face getting disfigured.

“Damn it, Professor Garan, you could’ve at least let me mentally prepare!”

Muen cursed internally—but he knew full well, time was tight right now.

No one knew how long Professor Prang could hold out against two Evil Gods.

“Answers can wait. For now, focus on what’s in front of you.”

“...This place is...”

Muen looked up, ready to survey his surroundings—

—and then froze, utterly stunned by the breathtaking sight before him.

Flowers.

Endless flowers.

Countless brilliant blossoms spread out in a dazzling sea, stretching all the way to the horizon, so beautiful it was surreal.

And beyond that distant skyline—even above where Muen had fallen—there was no more darkness. Instead, a clear and vibrant blue sky.

A gentle breeze swept through, carrying warm air and the sweet fragrance of flowers, opening every pore in Muen’s body with overwhelming comfort.

It felt like he’d stepped into a world made of nothing but peace and beauty.

“So this is... where the Academy’s secret weapon sleeps? It’s beautiful.”

Muen stood dazed °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° for a moment, then instinctively began walking forward.

He didn’t fear getting lost in this endless floral field—because all the flowers leaned gently in the same direction, as if bowing toward a certain presence, or drawn to some unseen force.

Before long, Muen arrived at the center of the flower sea.

There, surrounded by plush dolls and blooming bouquets, was a sleeping girl.

She appeared to be fast asleep, but Muen’s eyes widened in successive shockwaves—once, twice, thrice.

Because that girl...

Was a loli.

And not just a loli—

She wore a cute pink nightdress that made her fair skin look even more porcelain-soft and flushed. Her face, supported delicately by clusters of fresh flowers, looked like a doll’s—flawless, but with a touch of baby fat that added a rare kind of youthful charm.

But even more striking than her face was her hair—pure white, like snow, gleaming visibly even in the colorful ocean of blossoms.

In short: she was a white-haired loli!

Muen felt his heart pounding like crazy.

A white-haired loli!

This wasn’t just hitting his XP, this was dancing on it!

What red-blooded man could resist a peacefully sleeping white-haired loli?

“I really wanna pinch her cheek...”

Staring at her soft, rosy face, Muen couldn’t help but have the thought.

But thankfully, he still had a shred of reason left untouched by loli-mania—and stopped himself.

He reminded himself why he was here.

“So this so-called Academy secret weapon... is this white-haired loli?”

Muen was stunned.

He’d expected some hidden master, or maybe a dragon or monstrous beast.

He hadn’t expected... a white-haired loli.

“...Wait. White-haired loli and hidden master aren’t necessarily contradictory.”

Muen rubbed his chin, pondering.

Just like in those xianxia novels—the younger they look, the more terrifying their cultivation might be!

“...But then again—”

He glanced at the adorable dolls surrounding her.

“Would a hidden master really be into pink plushies?”

After all, even if she looked young, she should have the mental maturity of someone ancient, right?

“Which means...”

Muen lightly smacked his palm with his fist, and instantly imagined an elaborate, tragic 100,000-word backstory: an innocent, sweet white-haired loli, cruelly transformed by the Academy into a secret weapon, imprisoned here in this flower-filled world, all alone...

“No wonder Professor Garan said she hates being called a secret weapon. Anyone would, with memories like that...”

Grinding his teeth, Muen muttered, “Damn Academy, how could they abuse a poor little girl like this? Just wait till I get out—I’m reporting all of you for child abuse!”

“But then again...”

Muen’s eyes suddenly lit up again.

“If she’s a tragic, innocent cutie... then surely she won’t mind if I just pinch her cheek a little?”

“It’s not my fault I’m a pervert—she’s just too cute!”

“I’m not a creepy old man, okay?!”

Having made up his mind, Muen reached out and gently pinched the baby-fat cheek of the sleeping girl.

Ah... so soft.

In that instant, Muen felt like his heart had been melted into pudding.

“If only this moment could last forever...”

But alas, it could only remain a wish.

Because the wind blew again.

The entire flower field swayed like waves across a sea, rolling in rippling layers.

And amid that stirring sea of blossoms, the girl’s eyelashes twitched—

Then slowly opened her eyes.

Those crimson irises, at first glazed with the daze of just waking up, gradually shifted as if sensing something. Her gaze turned—toward the large hand resting against her cheek.

A trace of confusion appeared on her face.

“Ah, you’re awake?”

Muen, briefly distracted by the wind and flowers, panicked and quickly pulled his hand back.

Shit. Shit shit shit. That was probably too long.

Is she gonna think I’m a total creep?!

No good—he had to do something to fix this!

Panicking, Muen suddenly felt something in his pocket—a piece of candy.

Huh? Why do I have candy in my pocket?

Don’t tell me...

“Professor Garan...”

Muen felt genuinely touched.

You actually planned ahead for this? You’re surprisingly reliable in critical moments.

So, Muen took out the candy, placed it gently in front of the girl, and forced a gentle, coaxing smile that looked suspiciously like a kidnapper’s.

“There, there. Don’t be mad, little sister. Big brother brought you candy.”

“......”

The moment Muen finished speaking—

It was like someone pressed the pause button on reality.

The world stilled.

Even the wind stopped.

All the flowers lowered their heads, as if they couldn’t bear to watch what came next.

The girl sat up.

Her ruby-like eyes flicked toward the candy in Muen’s hand.

Then at Muen himself.

She remained expressionless—but her lips curved slightly, almost as if she were smiling.

“...Interesting.”

Her voice rang out, crisp and melodious like a lark.

And Muen’s smile froze instantly.

His face turned deathly pale.

That tone... that ancient tone of voice...

No. No way.

“You mean to tell me,” the girl said calmly, “that after just a few decades of napping, Academy students have become this bold?”

In that moment, Muen’s mind went blank.

A few decades... of napping?

He was doomed.

She was a big shot!

Goddamn you, Garan! You set me up!

As Muen looked down at the hand that had just offered a candy to a godlike being, he seriously began to consider how many tables he’d need to reserve for his funeral.

“...Eh?”

The girl stared at Muen, her gaze razor-sharp, as if in a single instant she had seen through every inch of him.

Then she let out a soft sound of surprise:

“You seem... different.”

“Haha, no idea what the esteemed lady means—I’m just an ordinary guy.”

Muen scratched his head and forced a sheepish smile.

But before he could say another word, he suddenly felt a chill all over his body.

“Huh?”

He looked down—only to discover that he had been instantly rendered naked.

What the hell?! This white-haired loli boss just stripped me?!

Could she be... that mythical species—the yandere pervert?!

What do I do? I’m being stripped by a big-shot yandere loli! Do I just lie down and accept my fate? Should I at least pretend to resist?!

As Muen’s thoughts spiraled into chaos—as they often did in moments like this—the white-haired, red-eyed girl suddenly leaned closer, her fingertip brushing against his bare skin. In her clear eyes, stars seemed to shimmer.

“The Mark of the Withering King,” she murmured.

One sentence.

One instant.

It was as if Muen’s blood froze.

He looked down at the girl, whose expression hadn’t changed in the slightest, and couldn’t stop his body from trembling.

In his eyes was naked terror.

Like a double agent whose identity had just been exposed by the boss of the organization.

But there was no time for panic. That terror instantly morphed into a do-or-die fury and resolve.

Muen’s right hand whipped behind him—pulling out a dagger from his storage space, its blade gleaming cold. With a vicious angle, he stabbed toward the girl’s vital point.

At the same time, crimson flames surged across his skin like liquid mercury, flowing straight for the girl.

“You really are quite brave,” the girl said—whether mockingly or admiringly, it was unclear.

She lifted a single finger and gave it the gentlest flick.

The next moment—

Muen’s entire body froze.

Even the fire went out instantly.

Because suddenly, his perspective rose higher and higher.

Like being launched skyward in a rocket.

The sea of flowers and the girl below shrank rapidly in his field of vision.

Then—he fell.

The flower sea and the girl rapidly grew large again in his eyes.

So did... a headless body.

Huh?

A headless body?

Before his brain could fully process the absurdity of what he was seeing, the girl twitched her finger again.

And then—

Hands. Arms. Torso. Thighs. Feet.

Organs. Veins. Bones.

Muen’s entire body was dismantled, piece by piece, like building blocks in the girl’s hands.

And yet, no blood flowed. No pain came.

It was like he had become... a toy.

“How odd.”

The girl meticulously inspected each part, then extended her hand to catch Muen’s head.

She stared into his wide-eyed, horrified face and asked, genuinely confused:

“There’s clearly nothing missing from your body. Your soul’s intact too. In fact, looking at your fate, you have a happy family, harmonious relationships... So where did the Withering King’s power come from?”

She tilted her head slightly, her expression faintly strange.

“If something is missing... I guess it’s just your chastity? Did you trade your virginity to an Evil God for power?”

“......”

Muen’s mouth twitched.

Big-shot, you’re surprisingly humorous.

“No, that’s not it. The power in your body... doesn’t feel like a simple blessing.”

Something else seemed to dawn on her—her delicate brows lifted slightly.

“Flames with a source. Partial manifestation of laws. This is... divine favor.”

“...Eh?”

Muen froze.

Divine favor?

Me?

From which god?

The Withering King?

But wasn’t that fire something he got from the Black Book?

Wasn’t it supposed to be just a lure to tempt him into corruption?

“...So you don’t understand your own power either.”

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, like she had stumbled on something novel and amusing.

She peered deep into Muen’s eyes—as if trying to pierce through to the very core of him.

“Still... an Evil God granting favor to a mortal? That’s a first for me. You must be hiding something else, boy.”

“What could I possibly be hiding? Didn’t I say already? I’m just a normal guy.”

Muen forced out a strained smile.

But truthfully... there was one secret.

The Black Book.

Yet no matter how desperately he called to it within, it remained utterly silent.

As if it had vanished.

“Whatever. I’m not into prying into other people’s secrets. Besides...”

The girl looked up at the sky.

“...It seems we’re out of time.”

She took the candy from Muen’s hand, peeled back the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth—then let out a blissful little smile.

“So sweet.”

Then—

She stepped past Muen and began walking toward the edge of the flower sea.

“...Eh?”

Now Muen was the one stunned.

“You’re... letting me go? You’re not going to kill me?”

“Kill you?”

The girl turned her head slightly. “Why would I kill you?”

“Because... I’m tied to an Evil God. I have an Evil God’s power.”

From everything Muen knew, the strong in this world held deep hatred for Evil Gods. The moment they sensed even a whiff of corruption, they would exterminate it without hesitation.

That was why he had acted so decisively earlier—he was certain she’d erase him on the spot.

“I see.”

The girl nodded thoughtfully. Then she asked back:

“Have you used that power to kill anyone?”

Muen paused—then shook his head.

“Do you think you’re a villain?”

He shook his head again.

“When you go to sleep at night, do you hear strange voices whispering in your ears, telling you to destroy the world?”

He kept shaking his head.

“Then there you have it.”

Her crimson eyes shimmered softly. Her brows relaxed, and for the first time, she revealed a true, visible smile.

“You’re a good person. You haven’t done anything bad. So why would I kill you?”

“But... it’s Evil God power—”

“Only cowards fear pure power.”

She turned away, leaving behind a sigh—half audible, half not:

“Unfortunately, there are too many cowards in this world.”

“Only cowards fear pure power...”

Muen repeated the words to himself.

And as he did, that small, delicate back... seemed to grow towering in his mind.

Yep. I’m in love. That’s what real boss-tier elegance looks like.

Wait, hold up.

Watching her figure walk away, Muen suddenly remembered—he was still in disassembled parts mode.

And so, with mounting dread, he shouted:

“Wait, big-shot! At least put me back together before you leave!!”

“You’re interesting. I’ll remember you.”

The girl looked back once more.

Then her voice turned slightly chilly:

“But my face isn’t something just anyone can go around pinching.”

“......”

Damn it, she really holds grudges?!

It was just a cheek pinch! You’re telling me you’re gonna carry that forever? There’s definitely some other pent-up resentment behind that!

“But still...”

Muen smiled faintly and murmured under his breath:

“Bossy, cool red-eyed white-haired lolis... really do hit my XP perfectly.”

He thought he’d said it quietly enough that no one would hear.

But immediately, Muen felt his perspective begin to shift again.

Upward...

Then sharply down.

Fast.

Like a vertical drop ride from hell!

“SHI—!”

And before the scream could finish echoing, that was the last word Muen managed to get out.

...

The girl hadn’t gone far before she lifted her hand and gently slashed the air in front of her.

A door opened.

Outside it, over a dozen aged professors—including Professor Garan—stood silently on either side of the path. When they saw the girl step through, all the usually haughty and arrogant professors bowed their heads in unison.

“Mentor Meladomir,” they greeted respectfully.

“Mm.”

The white-haired, red-eyed girl gave a faint nod and looked over the group.

“It’s been decades, and you’ve all gotten so old. Dudley, the last time I saw you, you could still stand straight, couldn’t you?”

“To see you again, Mentor... is a blessing beyond words,” said the oldest of the professors, wiping at his eyes like a child overcome with emotion.

“This kind of reunion—don’t say such dispiriting things.”

The girl’s voice was soft.

“But I must admit, I didn’t expect to be awakened this time. According to my previous predictions, I wasn’t supposed to wake up for another five years.”

“It was our failure—we couldn’t protect the Academy.”

All the professors wore expressions of shame.

“This isn’t your fault. I only just realized it myself...”

The girl lifted her head, her tone growing heavier.

“Fate has shifted drastically without anyone noticing. The Moon—who was never meant to cross paths with the Academy—has crashed directly into our trajectory.”

“We’re not clear on the details either. Prang seems to know something, but due to the Silence Pact, he can’t say.”

Even the usually unserious Garan wore a rare solemn expression as he spoke to her.

“No matter.”

The girl waved her hand. “I’ll know once I meet Them myself. As for all of you—go tend to your duties. Or go rest early. Don’t ruin your bodies at your age.”

“Yes.”

The professors bowed respectfully again, like children being gently scolded by a parent, not daring to disobey in the slightest.

Just as they were about to leave, Garan sneakily peeked back through the open door.

Inside, Muen was still floating in midair in dozens of disassembled parts, his head bobbing up and down in helpless despair.

A gleeful smirk appeared on Garan’s face.

Thank goodness I had the foresight. Otherwise, I’d be the one in pieces right now.

But the moment he tried to duck back out, he heard Muen’s voice erupt from inside, shouting through his agony and fury:

“Big-shot! Professor Garan just called you his niece!!”

“......”

Garan’s smile froze awkwardly. Slowly, he turned his head.

Only to see the girl silently watching him.

Her gaze was... very, very meaningful.

Exactly the kind of look he had given Muen earlier.

...

...

Under the eerie blue moonlight, Professor Prang looked deathly pale.

The wound on his chest was still bleeding—but that no longer mattered.

What mattered was that he was reaching his limits.

It wasn’t his mana—that was still being replenished endlessly by the Great Rite’s blessing.

But maintaining control over the Rite and casting high-tier magic had pushed his mind to the brink of collapse.

Even his brain was screaming in pain now.

And beneath his feet...

The shadows, birthed from moonlight cast upon the barren deadlands, surged like tides. Ghostly forms tore through barrier after barrier, gnawing deeper into the Academy’s inner sanctum.

“This can’t go on.”

Professor Prang gritted his teeth.

“I must protect the Academy... even if it costs me my life.”

Just as he prepared to go all out, a sigh echoed through the air.

“Prang, you’re still as stiff as ever.”

“Mentor Meladomir?”

Professor Prang looked at the petite figure who had somehow appeared before him, a trace of confusion in his eyes—followed by sudden realization.

“Those bastards... they actually woke you up?”

“If they didn’t, you’d be dead.”

The girl took the pink star-shaped magic wand from his hand.

In Prang’s grip, it had always looked ridiculous and out of place.

But once it was in her hand—it looked perfectly natural.

As if it had always belonged to her.

“Go rest,” she said.

“I’ll handle things here.”

“...Yes.”

Professor Prang responded respectfully.

Ever rigid and by-the-book, he didn’t question her command at all.

“Oh, right.”

The girl turned her head and added softly:

“That girl—corrupted by the Love God—I preserved the last bit of her soul’s light. She should still be able to speak a few words. Make sure you treasure it.”

“...What?”

Professor Prang froze for a moment, then his eyes reddened.

He bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Mentor.”

“No need to thank me.”

She answered gently.

“It was nothing.”